Granddaughter wants a classical guitar

[Kevin in California]

Well my 15 year old violin playing grand daughter would like Grandpa to make her a classical guitar. FUN!

I've made two classical, the last one about 7 years ago so I'll have to brush up on the process.

I've picked out some materials for this one.

I've had a set of Osage Orange fir about 10 years waiting to use it on a special build. I guess it is time. They say (the They brothers), that Osage is a great substitute tonely for Brazilian Rosewood.

I picked out a Sitka spruce top. I do have one AA grade Englemann spruce top but it feels kind of floppy . Maybe I'll use it....it has a more "white" appearance.

One piece Spanish cedar neck, Indian rosewood fretboard, bridge and bindings. Headstock overlay probably ebony since that's all I have. Maybe I'll buy a EIR headplate.
I picked out a nice rosette, one of three in my stash.

I think my tuners are gold so I'll do gold frets. If the tuners are Nickel then I'll do nickel frets.

Probably won't start this one until I get the current drednaught build done to the point of ready for a finish

[Herman]

Very fun project Kevin. Here a similar plan is waiting, 'cause my youngest grandson wants to build one with me. But he is still a bit too young to help a lot. So maybe in one or two years.
Englemann BTW is great. Made a few, all fine guitars.
Herman

[John Parchem]

That is fun; about half of the guitars I make are classical or flamenco. Of those about 1/4 of them use a bolt on bolt off neck the rest Spanish heel. Are you building with a Spanish heel? Up until the point of binding and carving the neck I like the Spanish heel better as I can build all the setup geometry I need working on a work board or a solera. (work board for flamenco and solera for classical).

I have used Osage orange on a classical and I loved it. It starts very yellow and changes to a warmer almost brown.

[Kevin in California]

Hey Herman
I wish one of my grandsons wanted to learn to build.
Perhaps once they finish college and if the stay in the USA to live it might happen.

John.

The 2 classicals I built were Spanish heel. The crossover I built I did a bolt on neck.

I'd kind of like to make this one bolt on since it will spend at least the first few years of it life in hot,humid, wet India. And it could need attention after 2 or 3 years of acclimating and it sure would be easier for adjustment when needed. Also thinking of putting in a truss rod.

What I will have to research is that neck angle set.
I have Robbie Obriens video course but that is the Spanish heel type.

I have the Solara I made and can follow the course.
I don't recall how I did the neck set on the crossover and I gave that guitar away so I don't have it to look at..

[Kevin in California]

John
Do you have a pic of your Osage classical?

[John Parchem]

A classical guitar often is made with a -2 mm project of the fretboard plane to the saddle. The forward slope is a pain for a bolt on but ... You can build with no angle and slope the fretboard measured 1 mm thinner at the 12 fret than the nut. That gives the equivalent of a 2mm forward angle. I generally make the bass side 1 mm thinner than the treble side; adding in nut to sound hole slope is a little more complex but not hard. I generally rig up a sloped board and run it through my drum sander.

Here are some pictures of my Osage orange

One coat of pore fill early on

ooclassical (290).jpg (131.35 KiB) Viewed 24458 times

After finishing April 2019

ooclassical (452).jpg (81.79 KiB) Viewed 24458 times

ooclassical (450).jpg (79.7 KiB) Viewed 24458 times

today Nov 2024

20241107_185124.jpg (199.46 KiB) Viewed 24458 times

20241107_185153.jpg (226.76 KiB) Viewed 24458 times

[Kevin in California]

It's a beautiful guitar and wow the color really does change but the darkened wood looks amazing.

How do you prefer to build a classical?. Spanish heel or bolt on?